One of the most common reasons our Juneau, AK and Bothell, Monroe, Mill Creek and Everett braces and Invisalign patients visit us is for spacing. Spacing, sometimes referred to as “gap teeth” in layman’s terms and diastema in doctor speak, is when there are spaces or gaps between two or more teeth. 

When it comes to how to fix gaps in the teeth, the first step is to have your smile evaluated by an orthodontist like Dr. Richard Chan. When you visit us for a braces or Invisalign consultation, Dr. Chan will perform an exam and take necessary diagnostic records in order to develop an accurate diagnosis and determine the underlying cause of your orthodontic concerns. He will then create a personalized treatment plan to close the gaps between the teeth for a beautiful, healthy smile and a functional bite. 

To give you a better idea of what gap teeth are and what your treatment options may be, in this post, we’ll cover:

• What is diastema (spacing)?
• What causes gaps in the teeth?
• Can braces fix gaps between the teeth?
• Can Invisalign fix gaps in the teeth?

What is Diastema?

Before we dive into how to fix gaps in the teeth, let’s cover what diastema is. Diastema is the technical term for a gap between two or more teeth. Diastema can crop up anywhere in the mouth, though what’s known as midline diastema, or a gap between the upper front teeth, is most common. In rare cases, patients can even have spaces between nearly all of their teeth. 

Spaced out teeth, or gaps between the teeth, can be mild, moderate or severe. Though a lot of patients seek out braces or Invisalign for gap teeth because they don’t like how spacing looks, the orthodontic problem can also lead to other oral health concerns if not treated. 

If you don’t close gaps between the teeth, food is more likely to get stuck in the spaces and plaque can accumulate, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Some teeth may bear the brunt of chewing forces causing uneven or excessive wear of the enamel. Additionally, when teeth are extremely spaced out, the alveolar bone isn’t being stimulated where the gaps are, which can result in bone loss and, eventually, tooth loss. 

What Causes Gap Teeth?

There are a number of different causes of gaps in the teeth, including:

Genetics

By far the most common cause of gaps between the teeth is genetics. In these cases, the teeth are too small for the jaw, either due to tooth size or jaw size, both of which are largely determined by your genes. Since the teeth can’t fill out the entire arch, you may be left with a gap in the front teeth, several teeth or all of the teeth. Spaced out teeth that are passed down through the generations, unfortunately, can’t be prevented. 

Oral Habits

Oral habits, like prolonged or aggressive thumb sucking or pacifier use, can put pressure against the back of the top front teeth, pushing them apart and creating or worsening a gap. Tongue thrust, also known as reverse swallowing, is another culprit behind spaced out front teeth. 

Tissue Growth

Gingival hyperplasia, or gum enlargement, is when there is an overgrowth of gum tissue. The gum tissue can grow between the teeth causing a space. Whether due to inflammation from gum disease, certain medications or medical conditions, spacing caused by gum enlargement tends to get worse if not addressed. 

Another cause of a gap between the front teeth is an enlarged labial frenum. When this piece of tissue, which connects your upper lip to the gum tissue above the front teeth, is oversized, it often pushes the front teeth apart. 

Gum Disease

Gum disease is an infection in the tissues that support the teeth. In its early stages, gum disease is known as gingivitis. At this point, with proper care, gum disease can be reversed. However, if not treated, gingivitis can advance into periodontitis, the more severe form of gum disease. Periodontitis damages the bone and tissue, which may cause teeth to become loose and gaps to develop as teeth migrate.

Missing Teeth

 Obviously, a missing tooth, or teeth, can lead to a gap. If a permanent tooth falls out or has to be extracted, spacing will occur. In some cases, individuals can have congenitally missing teeth, which will require treatment, or impacted teeth, which is when the teeth are stuck under the bone or tissue and unable to erupt fully or at all. 

A Note on Gaps Between Baby Teeth

Spacing is normal, particularly a gap in the front teeth, in young children who still have all or most of their primary teeth. The permanent teeth are larger than the baby teeth and will need more room when they come in, which is why there might be spaces between the teeth. This is nothing to worry about and as the permanent teeth erupt, the gaps will close. 

That said, it’s recommended that children visit an orthodontist for the first time by age 7. At this initial visit, Dr. Chan can let you know if your child’s growth and development are on track, including whether gaps between the teeth will close on their own. He always treats kids conservatively, so, for most patients, this will just kick off an observational period. They’ll come in for occasional visits over the years and he’ll let you know when the time is right to start treatment. 

Can Braces Fix Gaps Between the Teeth?

Yes, braces can fix gaps between the teeth. In fact, both metal braces and clear ceramic braces are excellent options for treating spacing. When getting braces to close a gap, or gaps, you’ll come in for a consultation and Dr. Chan will create a personalized treatment plan for you. 

If you have other problems in conjunction with spacing, such as an excessive overbite (deep bite), we may pair your braces with auxiliaries like rubber bands or temporary anchorage devices (TADs). Braces rubber bands provide the necessary connective forces to fix bite discrepancies and ensure that once we close the gap with braces, your top and bottom teeth come together properly, too. 

TADs serve as a fixed anchor point to push or pull a tooth, or teeth, in a certain direction and to accomplish asymmetrical tooth movements – i.e., moving teeth in the same arch in different directions. 

How long do braces take to close gaps between the teeth? It will depend on the severity of your spacing and whether or not you also have another bite issue. For a straightforward case of minor spacing, you may only need to wear braces for about a year. For teeth that are spaced out in conjunction with another bite concern, like an overbite, braces treatment could last closer to two years. 

Can Invisalign Fix Gaps Between the Teeth?

Wondering how to close a gap without braces? Invisalign can fix gaps between the teeth, too! As an experienced Alaska, Bothell, Monroe, Mill Creek and Everett Invisalign provider, Dr. Chan has the knowledge and expertise to effectively use Invisalign for gap teeth and create ideal spacing. 

When using Invisalign Teen or Invisalign for gaps between the teeth, a Richard Chan Orthodontics’ team member will take digital scans of your teeth and gums and a 3D model of your mouth will be created. Dr. Chan will determine how to close gaps between the teeth by moving each individual tooth into its ideal position directly on the computerized model. Invisalign will print out custom clear aligners based on Dr. Chan’s treatment plan. 

Similar to getting braces for spaced out teeth, when you wear Invisalign for gap teeth, we may pair your aligners with Invisalign attachments and/or rubber bands. Invisalign attachments are tooth-colored buttons that are bonded to your teeth that give your aligners more leverage to achieve complex tooth movements. Invisalign rubber bands, just like braces rubber bands, help to bring the upper and lower arch together correctly. 

How long does Invisalign take to close a gap? Again, the length of your Invisalign treatment will depend on how severe your spacing, or diastema, is and whether or not you also have a problem with your bite. For some people, Invisalign will take less than a year and for other patients, it will take closer to 18-24 months. 

Additional Considerations for Treating Spacing

Depending on the reason for your spacing, you may require additional treatments to fix the issue. If you have a gap in the front teeth caused by an overly long or wide labial frenum, Dr. Chan might have to perform a laser frenectomy to eliminate the excess tissue between the teeth prior to using braces or Invisalign to close the gap. 

If gaps between the teeth are from missing teeth, sometimes braces or Invisalign will be recommended before your dental implant surgery. Since the teeth have a tendency to shift and fill in the gap left behind by a missing tooth, orthodontic treatment will make room for the implant and permanent replacement tooth. 

Affordable Braces and Invisalign for Gaps Between the Teeth

Regardless of whether you have a big gap between the teeth along with another bite issue, or you have minor spacing, we work to make our Invisalign and braces affordable for all of our patients. We’re an in-network provider with most insurance plans, which can greatly reduce your out-of-pocket cost for orthodontic treatment. 

We also offer flexible, in-house, interest-free financing for Invisalign and braces. This will allow you to pay for treatment over time in low monthly installments. In fact, as part of our efforts to provide the most affordable braces, we’re offering braces for as low as $129 per month for a limited time. Mention the offer when you schedule your consultation to take advantage of these savings. 

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to Get Started!

If you’re ready to find out how we can use braces or Invisalign for gaps between the teeth to give you a stunning, healthy smile, book your complimentary consultation at Richard Chan Orthodontics today! 

You’re in braces treatment, you check out your smile in the mirror, and you notice your gums look red, inflamed, and swollen. Is it par for the course during orthodontic treatment or is it a sign of an oral health issue that needs to be addressed? To give you peace of mind and help you determine what’s normal and what isn’t, our Juneau, AK, Bothell, Monroe, Mill Creek, and Everett, WA orthodontist is sharing everything you need to know about braces and your gums. 

In this post, we’ll cover:

• The causes of red, irritated, and/or swollen gums with braces
• Ways to deal with irritated gums from braces
• General tips for how to get healthy gums with braces
• A note on braces and periodontal health 

Why Do I Have Red, Irritated, and/or Swollen Gums With Braces?

There are a number of culprits that could be behind irritated, swollen, big gums with braces, including:

Lack of stimulation

One of the main culprits of swollen gums during braces has to do with food. What does food have to do with swollen gums during braces? Well, imagine eating without braces.  Every time you chew on food, the food naturally rubs against the outside of the teeth, as well as the gums. This gently massages your gums, stimulating them and keeping them from getting swollen. Once you are in braces, however, the braces and wires stop any food from getting near the gums, and this natural stimulation is gone. If you are not stimulating the gums with your toothbrush during your orthodontic treatment, they will swell up automatically.

To prevent this from happening, use your toothbrush and gently massage the gums, as well as the part of the teeth between the gums and the braces. This will keep your gums from getting swollen and also help prevent cavities from happening between the braces and the gums, which is the most common area for them to occur.

Braces Irritation

The hardware from braces can irritate your cheeks and sometimes your gums. At the start of your treatment, your mouth isn’t used to having brackets and wires in it and the different parts of your braces may rub against the soft tissues of your mouth, leading to discomfort. 

These soft tissues will “toughen up” once you get acclimated to your appliance. This means gum irritation from braces is short-lived and generally resolves itself within a few weeks. If the problem does disappear once you’re used to your braces, then irritated, swollen gums are not a sign of a more serious issue. 

Food Particles Stuck in Your Braces 

Your braces brackets and wires are prone to trapping pieces of food. If you get food caught around your braces, between your teeth, or under the gumline, it can result in swollen, inflamed gums (popcorn kernels are a notorious offender!). Once the food is dislodged, any redness, swelling, or irritation should subside. 

Gum Disease

Not only do braces trap food particles, they also give bacteria and plaque more places to hide. Practicing excellent oral hygiene is the key to eliminating plaque and keeping your gums healthy with braces. If you have poor oral hygiene during your treatment and you don’t consistently remove plaque from around your gumline, it increases your risk for gum disease. 

What is Gum Disease?

What is gum disease? Gum disease, technically called periodontal disease, is when the toxins produced by plaque cause inflammation and infection in the periodontal tissues around the teeth. 

In its earliest stages, periodontal disease is known as gingivitis. Gingivitis is reversible with proper treatment and homecare. If not addressed, gingivitis can advance into periodontitis, the more severe form of gum disease. Periodontitis, which causes bone loss and, in extreme cases, tooth loss, can’t be cured but it can be managed.

Signs of Gum Disease

If you persistently have inflamed, swollen gums with braces or experience bleeding gums when brushing and flossing, it’s probably not simply from lack of stimulation of the gums, and could be gingivitis. Other signs of gingivitis include bad breath and loose teeth. 

Causes of Gingivitis

While poor oral hygiene is the leading cause of gingivitis-related red, swollen, big gums with braces, the following can also make you more susceptible to gingivitis:

• Pregnancy hormones
• Diabetes
• Using tobacco products
• Broken restorations or missing fillings
• Certain medications 

Gingival Enlargement

Occasionally, if you suddenly seem to have big gums with braces or it looks like your gums are growing over your braces, it could be due to gingival enlargement, also known as gingival hyperplasia or hypertrophy. Gingival enlargement is an abnormal overgrowth of gum tissue that can be caused by certain medications, medical conditions, a rare hereditary condition, or inflammation from plaque build-up. 

If you do suspect you have large, inflamed gums with braces due to gingival enlargement, schedule a visit with your general dentist. They’ll be able to determine the reason for the problem and recommend the ideal course of action. 

How to Get Rid of Swollen Gums With Braces

As for how to get rid of swollen gums with braces, there are a number of things you can do right off the bat to deal with acute inflammation, irritation and swelling, such as:

• Gently brush and massage the inflamed gum tissue, right along the border of the gums and teeth. If you imagine the middle of the bristles of your toothbrush, keep the middle of the toothbrush right on the border of your gums and teeth.
• Gently floss and then brush your teeth. If a food particle is stuck and causing inflamed gums with braces, freeing it should do the trick.
• Create a saltwater rinse by mixing ½ teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of warm water. Swish the solution around in your mouth and then spit it out. You can do this several times a day until inflammation goes down. 
• For lip, tongue or gum irritation from braces that are rubbing against the soft tissues of your mouth, first, gently dry the parts of your appliance that are bothering you. Then, break off a small piece of orthodontic relief wax, roll it in between your fingers to warm it up, and place it on your braces.
• Ask Dr. Chan which of the different types of mouthwash you can use to alleviate discomfort, fight plaque, and keep your gums healthy. For many patients, an antibacterial mouthwash like Colgate® Peroxyl® will quickly eliminate pain, infection, and irritation. Swish with the mouthwash for one minute and then spit it out after brushing your teeth. You can use it several times a day. 
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (whatever you’d normally take for a headache) if needed. 

General Tips for How to Get Healthy Gums with Braces

We know everyone wants to know how to get healthy gums with braces fast. While the above tips are ideal for dealing with acute discomfort and swelling, the following are the steps you’ll want to take for long-term oral health:

• Floss with braces once daily using an orthodontic flosser or regular dental floss and a floss threader. 
• Brush your teeth and gums with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste in the morning, after meals and snacks, and before bed.
• If you forget your toothbrush and you’re not at home, rinse your mouth out really well with water after eating.
• Consider a waterpik for braces. While using a waterpik, or water flosser, doesn’t take the place of regular flossing and is an extra step in your oral hygiene routine, when it comes to how to get healthy gums with braces fast, it’s an excellent solution. Breaking out your water flosser once a day will banish any lingering plaque, stimulate the gums, and dislodge food. 
• Use an interdental brush (proxy brush) to clean around your brackets and get into tight spaces. The more effectively you remove plaque, the less likely you’ll be to develop gingivitis.
• Use mouthwash after brushing. As we said above, there are different types of mouthwash that can benefit braces patients. An antibacterial mouthwash will zap bacteria and keep gums healthy, while a fluoride mouthwash is ideal for strengthening enamel and preventing cavities. Regardless of the type of mouthwash you choose, the act of swishing it around will help remove any plaque and food you may have missed when brushing and flossing.
• Eat a well-rounded diet filled with foods that strengthen the teeth and gums. Enjoy simple starches and sugary drinks and treats in moderation, as the bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and starches. Instead, opt for plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, low-fat dairy products (or foods high in calcium if you don’t eat dairy), healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. 
• Continue visiting your general dentist once every six months, or as often as they recommend, for exams and cleanings throughout your braces treatment. Your dentist will make sure your gums are healthy and be able to catch issues early on while they’re easier to treat. 

A Note on Braces and Periodontal Health

Most causes of irritated, swollen gums with braces are temporary. In fact, in the long run, braces treatment will improve the health of your gums. Straight teeth are easier to effectively brush and floss, which reduces your risk of gum disease. Additionally, when teeth are properly aligned and your bite is strong and stable, it prevents undue pressure on the bone and gum tissue, bolstering periodontal health. 

Can braces help gum recession? While braces can’t cure or treat gum recession, braces can help gum recession on a cosmetic level and play a part in stopping it from getting worse. Bringing the teeth into alignment with braces will make recession appear less visible and, when combined with a solid oral hygiene routine, will give you the amazing oral health you deserve. 

We’re Here to Help!

If you’re concerned about swollen gums with braces, give us a call or talk with Dr. Chan at your next appointment. He can evaluate your gums and let you know what steps to take to reduce swelling and improve your periodontal health. 

If you haven’t started treatment and you’re interested in braces or Invisalign® in Everett, Bothell, Monroe or Mill Creek, WA or Juneau, AK, schedule a complimentary consultation at Richard Chan Orthodontics today!

The Ultimate Guite To Floss With Braces

When our Alaska, Bothell, Monroe and Mill Creek braces patients first kick-off treatment, we always teach them exactly how to take care of their braces and their smile. Of course, knowing what to do and actually learning new techniques are two different things. For most people, figuring out how to floss with braces takes the most getting used to. To help give you a better idea, we’ll be sharing everything you need to know about flossing with your hardware. 

While our Invisalign® patients should floss their teeth too, one of the benefits of Invisalign vs. braces is the aligners are removable, so you can floss your teeth with regular old dental floss just as you normally would. For that reason, this information is geared towards those with braces. 

In this post, we’ll cover:

Why is Flossing With Braces So Important?

Whether you have braces or not, flossing your teeth every day is crucial to maintaining your oral health. Flossing gets rid of plaque and food debris between the teeth and along the gumline that your toothbrush can’t reach. In fact, flossing is responsible for about 40% of plaque removal. Together, brushing and flossing lower your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. 

When you have braces on your teeth, there are more places for plaque, bacteria and food to hide. If you don’t practice good oral hygiene with braces, you are more likely to get cavities or experience gum inflammation. In extreme cases, you could have to have your braces removed to have your dental problems treated, which would extend your braces treatment time. Additionally, teeth move most effectively in a healthy oral environment. So, diligent brushing and flossing will help you get the best braces results and finish your treatment on schedule. 

How Often Do You Need to Floss Your Teeth With Braces? 

We recommend flossing at least once a day when you have braces. You can break out your dental floss or orthodontic flosser whenever you have time and there are no hard and fast rules about what time of day to floss. However, flossing at night is a good way to eliminate the plaque, bacteria and food particles that have accumulated throughout the day.

Should You Floss or Brush First?

Now, should you floss or brush first? A 2018 study published in the Journal of Periodontology on the efficacy of flossing before or after brushing found flossing before brushing removed significantly more plaque from in between the teeth and in the mouth overall. Subjects who flossed before brushing also had a higher concentration of fluoride from their toothpaste. The fluoride helps to further zap plaque and strengthen enamel. So, our advice is to floss first and then brush if possible. 

What is the Best Floss for Braces?

It is a good idea to use a waxed dental floss because your brackets and wires can shred unwaxed floss. Unwaxed floss is also more likely to get stuck in your braces. Other than that, the best floss for braces is really a personal preference. 

Some patients do like traditional dental floss, but using a floss threader will get the job done much quicker. An orthodontic flosser (like a Platypus flosser) is the fastest option of them all and will really cut down on the time you spend flossing with braces. 

While you can absolutely use a Waterpik, technically called a water flosser, when you have braces, and we would recommend adding it to your oral hygiene routine, a Waterpik does not replace regular flossing with dental floss or an orthodontic flosser. It’s something you’ll do in addition to your daily flossing, but most patients find it’s well worth it, because it helps get their teeth and gums feeling squeaky clean. 

How to Floss With Braces Using Traditional Dental Floss

As we said, flossing with traditional dental floss will take longer when you have braces than it will if you use a floss threader or orthodontic flosser. However, if you have your heart set on using regular floss to floss with braces, it’s possible.

Here’s how:

• Break off a length of waxed dental floss about 18 inches long.
• Using one hand, carefully thread one end of the floss between your arch wire and your teeth. With your other hand, grasp the end of the floss as it makes its way through. 
• Wrap the ends of the dental floss around your index fingers. You can also wrap it around your middle fingers, leaving only a few inches to use between your teeth, and hold the floss tight with your thumbs and index fingers. 
• Position the floss between any two teeth. 
• Glide the floss up and down the side of one tooth, making a C-shape at the base of the tooth when you reach the gums to gently floss the area between your gums and tooth. Then, floss up and down the side of the other tooth, repeating the C-shape to get just under the gum line. 
• Remove the floss and unthread it behind your archwire. 
• Repeat the process on the next set of teeth using a clean section of floss until you’ve flossed all of your teeth, including behind your back molars. 

How to Floss With Braces Using a Floss Threader

A floss threader will make flossing with braces just a bit easier. It’s a piece of flexible plastic with a loop on the end that transforms regular floss into floss for braces or restorations like fixed bridgework. There are also versions like Super Floss that have a stiffened end.

As for how to use a floss threader to floss with braces, follow these steps:

• Break off a piece of waxed dental floss about 18 inches long. 
• Direct one end of your floss through the eye of the floss threader and pull about five inches of the floss through the loop. 
• Carefully direct the pointed end of your floss threader under your archwire. If you’re using Super Floss, guide the stiffened end of the floss under your wire. Pull the floss through so you can grip it with both hands. 
• Wrap the floss around your index fingers, leaving a few inches to floss between your teeth with. 
• Position the floss between any two teeth. 
• Slide the floss up and down the side of one tooth, making a C-shape at the base of the tooth when you reach the gums to gently floss the area between your gums and tooth. Then, floss up and down the side of the other tooth, getting just under the gumline again. 
• Gently pull the floss out from behind your archwire. 
• Use your floss threader again to floss in between your next set of teeth. Repeat the process until you’ve flossed all of your teeth, including around your back molars. 

How to Floss Using an Orthodontic Flosser

An orthodontic flosser is the easiest, quickest way to floss with braces. However, it is more expensive than regular dental floss. 

Here’s how to floss with an orthodontic flosser if you go that route:

• Slide the rounded end of your orthodontic flosser under your archwire so the floss is positioned between two teeth. 
• Glide the floss up and down the side of one tooth, making sure to floss slightly under the gumline. Do the same on the other tooth. 
• Pull the orthodontic flosser out gently and place it in between the next set of teeth. Repeat the process until you’ve flossed all of your teeth, including behind the back molars. 

How to Use a Waterpik With Braces

You can use a Waterpik for braces in addition to your once-daily flossing in order to dislodge food particles and get your teeth and gums extra clean. A lot of water flosser brands actually have orthodontic tips that are designed to be used with braces. 

Here’s how to use a Waterpik for braces:

• Fill the reservoir of your water flosser with lukewarm water. Then, insert the flosser tip.
• Use the lowest pressure setting to start. Place the tip in your mouth while you lean over the sink. 
• Turn your Waterpik on and close your lips to prevent splashing. Allow the water to run out of your mouth straight into the sink. 
• Begin with your back teeth. Aim your flosser tip at your gumline and gently brush along the gumline, in between the teeth and around your braces brackets. 
• Repeat the process on the rest of your teeth until you’ve done your whole mouth. 

Don’t Skip Your Dental Check-Ups!

In addition to brushing and flossing with braces, you’ll also want to be sure you continue to see your general dentist during your orthodontic treatment for regular check-ups and cleanings. Your dentist will evaluate the health of your teeth and gums, let you know if your brushing and flossing technique could use some improvement, and help you prevent cavities and gum disease. Additionally, during a professional cleaning, the hygienist will use special tools to banish hardened plaque (tartar) that you can’t eliminate on your own with a regular toothbrush and dental floss, ensuring the best possible oral health. 

If you still have questions about how to floss with braces, ask us! We’ll be more than happy to demonstrate for you, which can be extremely helpful, especially if you just got your braces put on. Not in treatment yet? If you’re interested in learning more about your options for braces and Invisalign in Bothell, Monroe or Mill Creek, Washington or Juneau, Alaska, schedule a complimentary consultation at Richard Chan Orthodontics today!

3D Printed Dental Retainers

While 3D printing in orthodontics really began in earnest over two decades ago with the advent of Invisalign®, it has become more commonplace in recent years. In fact, at Richard Chan Orthodontics, we have a 3D printer in our office that we use to customize 3D printed retainers for our patients using advanced, thermoplastic material. 

While there are several types of orthodontic retainers, including permanent retainers that are bonded to the teeth and Hawley retainers that consist of acrylic and wire, 3D-printed, clear retainers are the most popular option among our Monroe, Mill Creek, Bothell and Everett, WA Invisalign and braces patients.

In this post, we’ll be covering how the process of getting a 3D-printed retainer works and why we consider these the best retainers for the teeth. 

What Are Teeth Retainers Used For?

Before we get into the retainer process, let’s talk about what retainers for the teeth are used for. A dental retainer is designed to hold your teeth in place after orthodontic treatment. During the active phase of your treatment when you have braces or you’re wearing clear aligners, the bone and tissue that support the teeth break down and the ligaments loosen, allowing your teeth to move where we want them. 

It takes time for new bone to form and the ligaments to tighten back up and secure the teeth in their new places in the jawbone. A retainer for your teeth maintains ideal alignment as this occurs and prevents the teeth from shifting. 

The Conventional Dental Retainer Process

The conventional way of creating retainers leaves a lot to be desired. The orthodontist fills a tray with a putty-like substance and you have to bite down on it and wait for the impression materials to set, which can sometimes take several minutes. They then use your dental impressions to create a custom retainer. A lot of patients gag during the process of getting traditional dental impressions and it’s not very comfortable. Thankfully, we use 3D technology at our practice so there are no goopy, messy molds! 

New and Improved: The Process for 3D-Printed Retainers

How is getting a 3D-printed retainer different? Well, after your braces or Invisalign treatment is complete, we take digital impressions using our iTero® scanner. The 3D teeth scanning process with iTero is quick, comfortable and painless. You can breathe normally throughout it, it only takes a few minutes and there is no gagging. A Richard Chan Orthodontics team member simply waves the small, handheld wand across your teeth and gums and it snaps images in motion. 

The iTero scans are uploaded to a computer and converted into a super precise, 3D CAD model of your mouth, which is sent to our 3D printer. Dr. Chan and his team will then print and fabricate your custom, clear, plastic retainer. 

You’ll wear your clear retainer, which is technically called an Essix retainer and sometimes referred to as an Invisalign retainer by patients, according to Dr. Chan’s instructions. It will hold your teeth in their new places so that they don’t shift after your braces or Invisalign treatment. 

The Benefits of 3D-Printed Retainers

3D printing dental retainers has made helping patients maintain their smiles much more streamlined. Why do our team and patients consider 3D-printed retainers to be the best retainers for the teeth? Well, here are some of the benefits:

Quick

When dental impressions are sent to a third-party lab so they can create a custom retainer, it can take three weeks or so for you to receive the retainer. Then, if you lose your retainer, getting a replacement will also take time. With a 3D-printed retainer, we’re able to design, fabricate and print the retainer right in our office, allowing us to get you your retainer sooner. If you need a replacement, that will be quick and easy as well, ensuring your teeth don’t shift while you wait for your appliance. 

Comfortable

The removable, clear retainers are similar to Invisalign aligners. They’re made from smooth plastic, are designed especially for your mouth and they slip over your teeth. There’s no irritation and patients find them to be extremely comfortable. Yet, it’s not just the clear, plastic retainers themselves that are comfortable; the process is comfortable and clean too. As we said, we use our iTero scanner to take quick digital impressions and you don’t have to bite into a goopy mold and hold it in your mouth while trying not to gag. 

Precise

The digital impressions from the iTero scanner are high-definition and precise. Digital scanning creates a real-time, virtual rendering of your mouth. When we use the scans for 3D printing dental retainers or other appliances, you get a truly custom fit for the best possible results and comfort. 

Convenient

It’s quick and easy to take digital impressions and you’ll receive your 3D-printed retainer in less time. Additionally, we keep your digital dental model. So, if you lose your retainer and need a replacement, you won’t have to come in for new scans. We can make you a new one immediately from your previous scan. We’ll tell you when it’s ready and you can either come to the office to pick it up or we can mail it to you. 

Affordable

3D-printed retainers are more affordable than other options. This is because creating them takes significantly less time and when they’re printed in the office, there is no outside lab involved. We pass these savings on to our patients. 

Discreet

While eventually you’ll only wear your retainer at night, if you do have to wear it full-time at first, a clear retainer is less noticeable than a Hawley retainer, which has a wire that wraps around your teeth. The plastic is clear and smooth and the retainer fits like an Invisalign aligner. Most people won’t even notice you’re wearing it.

Of course, precision, effectiveness and convenience are important, but the retainers being virtually invisible is one of the main reasons our patients think clear retainers are the best retainers for the teeth.

Better Oral Health

With removable retainers, like a clear retainer or Hawley retainer, you can brush and floss as you normally do. This allows you to maintain excellent oral hygiene, which, of course, is key if you just invested in braces or Invisalign treatment to get your dream smile. While most of our Alaska and Washington orthodontic patients are amazing at keeping their permanent retainers clean, the wire does create more areas for food and plaque to hide, which can increase your risk of tooth decay. 

To learn more about our high-tech options for creating confident, beautiful smiles, including 3D-printed retainers, schedule a complimentary consultation at Richard Chan Orthodontics in Mill Creek, Monroe or Bothell, WA or Juneau, AK. 

Clear retainers, technically known as Essix retainers and sometimes referred to as Invisalign retainers, are made of smooth, clear, BPA-free plastic. The custom, removable appliance slips over your teeth and most people won’t notice you’re wearing it. 

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Can I get braces for an anterior crossbite? Can Invisalign fix an overbite? We get a lot of questions like these from our Alaska, Bothell, Monroe, Mill Creek and Everett, WA Invisalign and braces patients before they start treatment. As a certified specialist in orthodontics, Dr. Richard Chan specializes in diagnosing, preventing and treating malocclusions, or problems with the size, positioning and alignment of the teeth and jaws. Of course, orthodontic treatment is focused on straightening the teeth and creating a beautiful smile for every patient, but we also want to design the most functional bite (how the upper and lower teeth fit together). While each patient is unique and you could even have a combination of problems, these are the most common bite issues we address. 

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When you get your braces removed or take out your final Invisalign tray, it’s a big moment! As our Alaska, Monroe, Mill Creek, Bothell and Everett, WA Invisalign and braces patients will tell you, it’s exciting to see your final results. While it might seem like your orthodontic treatment is complete, there’s actually one more step and that’s wearing a retainer (or retainers). We promise, the outcome will be totally worth it. To help give you a better idea of what to expect, we’ll be covering why wearing a retainer is important and what the different types of retainers are.

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Invisalign is a convenient, comfortable way to get your dream smile. Yet, there are still things you’ll have to do (and avoid) to get the best possible results. As an Alaska, Bothell, Monroe, Mill Creek and Everett orthodontist, I’ll fill you in on everything you need to know about Invisalign when you start treatment. By following the instructions and keeping your aligners and smile in tip-top shape, you’ll breeze through the process using best way to clean dental retainers. Here are some of the key dos and don’ts of wearing Invisalign and best way to clean dental retainers. Read More